Odometer reset mechanism



June 21, 1932. w m

ODOMETER RESET MECHANISM Filed Aug. 25, 1929 attain Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES P TE T OFFICE IVAR WEDIN, or FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR :roA C SPARK PLUG COMPANY, or FLINT, MICHIGAN, A COMPANY or MICHIGAN ODOMETER RESET Application filed August 23, 1929. Serial No. 887,915.

This invention relates to odometers such as are used with the speed measuring instruments of motor vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a simplified form of reset mechanism for changing the position of the wheels of the socalled trip set.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is atransverse vertical section through a combined speedometer and odometer, having my improved re-set device embodied therein. Figure 2 is a view in elevation. Figure 3 is a view in section on line 33 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an end elevation.

Referring by reference characters to the drawing, numeral 5 represents a die cast frame for carrying the speedometer and odometer mechanism. It is carried within a casing, 7, the latter being closed at its front portion by a dial plate, 9, a glass, 11, and a bezel, 13. The frame, 5, rotatably supports a rotor shaft, 15, to which is to be connected the usual speedometer drive shaft, not shown in drawing. Transmission shaft 15 carries a magnet, 17 which is shown in the form of a bar with U-turned ends, 19. Secured to the frame, as at 21, is a tapered field cup, 23, and between the magnet and the field cup is a tapered speed cup. 25, its spindle. 27, being rotatably supported in the end of the rotor shaft and in a bearing carrier, 29, mounted in the field cup. .A biasing spring, 31, is connected to the spindle, 2'7, and to the end of an arm, 33, which is rotatable about the hearing carrier. The arm, 33, may be provided with an extension, 35, over-lying the end of the spindle to limit its axial movement.

At 37 is a shaft journalled in the frame, 5, and positioned at right angles to the rotor shaft, 15. These two shafts are inter-connected by worm gearing, as shown at 39. On an end of shaft, 37 is an eccentric, 41, by which the pawl, 43, is reciprocated to drive the odometer mechanism. This pawl, 43, is pressed forward with its teeth in engagement with its ratchet by a spring, 44.

The odometer mechanism comprises a coaxial. series of wheels, .45. These wheels are driven the one from the other by the usual well-known transfer mechanism. In the 45, the right hand or decimal wheel 45' is provided with aratchet wheel, 47, which :is to p be engaged by the :pawl, 43, mentioned above. Rigid with ratchet wheel 47 is a driving gear, 49. This driving gear functions to drive a second or tripset of wheels when such a set is used.

The trip set constitutes an auxiliary assembly which is designed to be added when it is desired to combine with the single season set a second set adapted for resetting. It comprises a stamping, 51,-which is to be attached to the main frame as at 53. This stamping or sub-frame carries a shaft, 55, which when the sub-frame is in position on the main frame, .is parallel to the shaft of the season set-of wheels. On shaft are the wheels, 57 of thetrip set. Connected to the unit wheel of thisseriesis a driving sleeve, 59, having a driven gear, 61. The wheels of the trip set driven one from the other by a similar concea led transfer mechanism, receive their initial rotation by the rotation of gear, 61, from gear 49, through the instrumentality of a gear, 63. This gear, 63, is an idler and is mounted on shaft 65 which may be moved to effect the engagement of gear 63 with gear 49. Sh'aft65 is located in a slot, 66 and when it is in one end 'of the slot, gear 63 is in engagement with both gears, 61 and 49. The slot is formed on an are about the center of gear 61, so that when shaft 65 is moved to the other end of the slot, gear 63 remains in mesh with gear 61 but is moved out of engagement with gear 49. To normally hold shaft 65 in that end of the slot corresponding to the engagement of gear 63 with both gears 49 and 61 there is used a flat spring, 67. suitably attached as at 69. to the sub-frame and resiliently engaging the shaft carrying gear 63. This is best shown in Figure 4.

The re-setting operation is performed by disengaging the normal. drive and effecting a gear action between the idler gear, 63, and a gear on a reciprocable re-set stem whereby rotation of the reset stem may produce a rotation of the wheels of the trip set. At 71 is a re-set stem having a finger grip, 73. The stem 71, reciprocates through a guide bearing, 75, which is as shown secured to the subframe. The stem, 71, terminates with a gear, 77. This gear is normally held out of engagement with the idler gear, 63, by means of a spring, 79, which is in abutment with the movable stem and with the fixed bearing, 75. hen the stem is pushed inwardly against the tension of spring 79, the gear element, 77, on the stem engages the idler gear, 63, and pushes it into the end of the slot, as shown in Figure 3, thereby disconnecting the drive between gear 49 and gear 63. The meshing engagement of gear 7 7 and 63 permits the resetting operation to be performed by rotation of reset stem 71.

By the construction described above there is provided a very simple and efficient mechanism for re-setting a trip odometer set of wheels. It employs a number of parts considerably less than other types of re-setting mechanism. It is quite inexpensive to manufacture and very easy to assemble. Production cost is therefore reduced, while nevertheless maintaining maximum efficiency.

I claim:

1. In an odometer having aseason set of wheels and a trip set of wheels and means to drive the season set, gearing to drive the trip set from the season set including a gear element connected with a Wheel of each set and an intermediate gear movable bodily within the plane of said gears to a position in which it engages both said gear elements, means to move said intermediate gear to said position, a combined reset stem and gear, means to guide said reset stem for axial movements, said reset stem and gear, when moved in one direction, engaging and moving said intermediate gear from engagement with the driving one of said gear elements, said stem gear operatively engaging said intermediate gear when so moved, whereby the wheels of the trip set may be reset.

2. The invention defined by claim 1 together with a frame for supporting said odometer, the frame having a slot, the shaft of said intermediate gear being movable in said slot.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

IVAR w DIN. 

